Celestron 52248 65mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope

Celestron 52248 65mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope Review

Celestron 52248 65mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope Feature

• Multi-Coated Optics
• Sight tube for quick targeting
• Soft Carrying Case
• 18-55x Zoom Eyepiece
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

The Celestron Ultima 65 Zoom Spotting Scope is the smallest and most affordable scope in Celestron's popular Ultima series, yet it delivers surprisingly good views. The Ultima 65 is a refractor style spotting scope with multi-layer anti-reflection coatings on the objective lens and on the zoom eyepiece. The Ultima 65 package includes a padded soft case for the scope, a hard case for the removable eyepiece, and a T-thread adapter so you can attach a camera.

The focus ranges from 20 feet to the horizon with just a few turns of the focus knob. When I fold down the rubber eye cup I can keep my glasses on and see the whole 1.7 degree field of view at 18X magnification. The 1.7 degree field of view seems a bit narrow, but it is sharp from edge to edge. With my glasses on I need very little focus adjustment while I crank the zoom eyepiece from 18X up to 55X. Sometimes though I like to take my glasses off while observing because the view seems to have just a little more contrast and sharpness. I like the fact that the Ultima 65 gives me a sharp image either way.

The drawback of the tradition crown and flint achromatic lens used in the Ultima 65 Zoom Spotting Scope is a bit of false color, also known as blue fringing or chromatic aberration. Blue fringing seems well controlled at 18X magnification, but it becomes increasingly noticeable as I zoom up to 55X. Celestron also offers the Ultima 80 which produces a brighter image with a wider field of view, and the Regal 65 F-ED spotting scope which uses exotic ED glass lenses to virtually eliminate blue fringing and produce the sharpest possible high power views.

Celestron's Ultima 65mm Zoom Spotting Scope combines sharp multi-coated optics with a good quality zoom lens in a compact waterproof package. Top it off with a lifetime "No-Fault" warranty and the Celestron Ultima 65 is simply a great value. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

Sharp multi-coated optics

Good zoom eyepiece

Waterproof design

Lifetime no-fault warranty

Cons:

Blue fringing noticeable at high power

Narrow field of view SEE up close. Compact, 100% WATERPROOF Celestron 18 - 55x65 mm Ultima Zoom 45 degree Spotter. Open up a whole world of long distance views! Celestron's highly acclaimed Ultima Series is a portable and durable design. Ideal for birding, spotting game, eyeballing scenery, locating target "hits" at the range, even astronomy. More: 18-55x zoom magnification; 65 mm objective size; 100% waterproof for use in rain and inclement weather; 45° eyepiece for comfortable viewing; Multi-coated optics for excellent contrast and image brightness; Refractor optical design; Sight tube for quick targeting; F.O.V. at 1,000 yds. is 89' at 18x, 38' at 55x; Eye relief: 18 mm at 18x; Close focus: 20'; Tripod / camera adaptable, includes camera t-adapter Includes carry case. Weighs 37 ozs. Order yours today! Celestron 18-55x65 mm Zoom 45 degree Spotting Scope